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Public urges Sycamore board to join voucher lawsuit; board instead asks staff to draft accountability statement
Summary
A public commenter urged the Sycamore board to join the Vouchers Hurt Ohio lawsuit and claimed the district lost millions; treasurer Brody Buren disputed the loss figure and said state aid rose year‑over‑year. The board debated legal, fiscal, and political costs and directed staff to draft a legislative/advocacy statement calling for accountability and equitable funding rather than immediately spending district funds on litigation.
A member of the public asked the Sycamore Community Schools board to sign onto litigation opposing the state’s expanded voucher program, but the board stopped short of committing district funds.
Ellen Owens, who identified herself and gave an address for the record, urged the board to "follow the recommendation of SAC by voting to join the Vouchers Hurt Ohio lawsuit," saying the change to voucher law had harmed public schools. "$2 per student to join the lawsuit is a drop in the bucket compared to $2.7 million Sycamore has lost in this state budget," Owens said.
Treasurer Brody Buren corrected that account during the meeting. "For last year we received from the state state aid 8.9 million and then this year we're anticipate to receive 11.2," he said, calling that a year‑to‑year increase of about $2.3 million and saying the voucher funding adjustments are drawn from a different state budget bucket.
Board members debated options. Some argued a district commitment to the lawsuit would make a public stand and could prompt other districts to join; others warned the expenditure (staff noted an estimated $12,000 per year to join) and the political divisiveness could undercut community unity while the district seeks voter support for potential levies. Several members proposed middle ground: issue a formal board statement calling for transparency and accountability for any private schools using public dollars and press the legislature for fair funding.
Superintendent Chad Lewis said he opposed spending district money on litigation at this time but supported a strong public statement and advocacy. Board members directed staff to draft a letter or resolution for legislators and to explore countywide or collaborative approaches with other districts and county leadership.
There was no vote to join the lawsuit at this meeting. The board agreed to return the draft statement for consideration and to continue discussions about advocacy and possible participation in coordinated county action.
